Spalding Triumphs Over DeMatha 26-10; Washington Throws 3 TDs

Malik Washington, the senior quarterback at Archbishop Spalding High School, has a unique gift for attracting top-notch receivers. One such receiver is Myles McAfee, who transferred from St. John's to Archbishop Spalding after a conversation with Washington over the summer. 
 
This pivotal connection between Washington and McAfee was evident in their recent 26-10 victory against DeMatha on Saturday night during the inaugural Cavaliers Kickoff Classic and Ravens Rise game held under the Baltimore Ravens' emblematic logo. 
 
Spalding’s coach Kyle Schmitt praised Malik as “a connector.” The linking of these two players led to an exciting 27-yard pass from Washington to McAfee in the third quarter that served as a catalyst for Spalding's winning touchdown. Their completion in the end zone corner solidified their victory. 
 
The pair looked like they had been practicing this strategy for weeks, with Washington pretending to pass to running back Antonio Leadbetter before swiftly passing instead to McAfee—it was an unexpected but successful move by them both. 
 
However, this wasn’t something that had been planned beforehand; it showed how well they read each other despite not working together long-term. Coach Schmitt attributed their chemistry on the field due to countless repetitions of practice drills, which fostered excellent understanding between them: "That connection happens." 
 
Over three years, Spalding football (2-0) has enjoyed numerous confidence boosts, including when they beat Gonzaga two years ago, marking its first win against a team from the competitive WCAC league—nnow DeMatha is second on that list. 
 
Despite being ahead 7-3 at halftime, there was still work left for Washington and his team before claiming victory. As he said, "All those long summers prepare us for these second-half games." His commitment shone through when he stated confidently about going all four quarters if required, showcasing the resilience and perseverance his side possesses. 
 
Washington knows what it takes. He's a two-time Capital Gazette Player of the Year, a twice Rhodes Trophy winner, and committed to Maryland in July. Yet, even he felt the pressure when DeMatha took the lead early in the third quarter. 
 
Stags quarterback Denzel Gardner led his team effortlessly downfield despite heavy rain and scored a crucial touchdown. However, Washington trusted McAfee to rise up for him: "Had to get back to him, had to make a play...I trust that kid." 
 
Washington’s faith paid off as Leadbetter secured a 14-10 advantage after scoring a touchdown following McAfee's brilliant receptions. The Spalding defense then did their part by tackling Stags' offense effectively, forcing them into making errors resulting in two safeties. 
 
The offensive line of Spalding started firing on all cylinders, with every pass and rush hurting Stag's defense significantly, which was entirely different from first-half performance. After securing another touchdown connection with McAfee followed by a successful two-point conversion against freshman Kam Miller, it seemed like they were unstoppable. 
 
Schmitt concluded, saying, "We're pretty simple on offense, but we have a lot of answers. Faster we find those answers, faster you see our success." This victory is a testament not only to Washington’s skills but also to the to the entire Archbishop Spalding football team, who showed resilience and determination throughout the game, leading them towards this statement win.